Our Drive into the Great Unknown

This upcoming weekend the Wiener family is setting out to Columbus, Ohio for Adam’s brother’s wedding. Adam, Drew, Gabriela and I will drive approximately 400 miles to get there and another 400 miles to come home. And as I try to prepare for the trip, I can’t help but feel like once again I’m sinking in quick sand. As I try to grasp my life, it’s like I’m trying to hold onto a raging bull. I have been reading websites for tips on car travel with toddlers and infants, I have been making lists and stocking up on essentials, I have been laying out outfits and making sure everything is clean, etc. I’m trying to plan and prepare for every situation; boredom in the car, hunger, potential health issues, clothing fiascos…it’s endless! And so frequently in life, I take on the same role. I think that if I plan, research and prepare that I can avoid obstacles. The truth of the matter, though, is that no matter what I do something will arise. No matter how much I pack, something will inevitably be forgotten. No matter how many goods I have in the car, there will be some need that will go unsatisfied. I constantly strive to give my children every advantage there is but somehow I will always drop the ball somewhere. This past weekend we tried to run errands. We didn’t make it very far because Gabby didn’t want to ride in her stroller, Drew had about five meltdowns in each store and Adam and I ultimately settled that it was not going to all get done. We reassessed our original plan, devised a new strategy and analyzed how a trip like this could be more successful in the future. As I pack our things for Columbus and start over, I’m agonizing over making the right decisions so that this trip has less hiccups. I suppose that is what parenting becomes – rolling with the punches, being flexible to changes in the original plan and learning from your mistakes. And although I may do everything in my power to make this experience smooth, exciting, and fun, it’s really how I handle the obstacles my kids present me that will decipher the success of this trip. So as I embark on this initial 400 miles, I’m not going to pack or plan any less but I may just try to laugh and smile more. Maybe I’ll end up holding Gabby every minute of every day and combat one million temper tantrums but I’m going to be doing it with the cutest two kids and greatest man around…so who can complain?!?!